Outfit Formula: Easy Spring Olive Pants

Casual and smart casual olive pants are a staple in many wardrobes. Wear them in a silhouette that tickles your fancy, and style them in some of these easy-to-pull together combinations for Spring. Focus on the colour combinations if the items aren’t for you. 

1. Olive and Teal

Combine a pair of olive pants with a teal sweater of sorts. Here, a fluid and shorter V-neck cardigan is buttoned through and worn as a top. Chunky black loafers match the black buttons on the cardigan. I see a black or cognac bag complete the look, and possibly a bit of pretty black lace from a camisole peeking through from under the neckline.

Olive and Teal

2. Olive, Light Blue, and Cognac

A column of olive is created by combining olive parachute pants with a cropped and quilted body warmer – or vest if you’re in the US. The column is broken up by tucking a light blue shirt into pants. Cognac boots complete the look. Add a bag that works with the palette.

Olive, Light Blue and Cognac

3. Olive and Nautical Navy

A big and boxy navy and white striped sweater is paired with casual olive pants. It’s worn out for a comfy and relaxed vibe. White sneakers match the white stripes of the sweater. Add a bag to match.

Olive and Nautical Navy

4. Olive and Off-White

Last, a juxtaposition of dressy jacket with casual pants and casual footwear. Super wide olive cargo pants are topped with a boxy buttoned through off-white topper. It’s shorter length adds structure by showcasing some waistline. Off-white shoes match the topper, and pull the look together. Add jewellery, bag, watch and eyewear as desired.

Olive and Off-White

Match and Mismatch in Your Outfits

Outfit components that match closely in colour pull the look together. And it’s often attractive when footwear matches accessories. But not everything needs to match. For example, match your shoes with your belt or bag, and mismatch the rest. 

Mixing Match and Mismatch

A tonal colour match is just as effective as an exact match. Mismatched patterns work together when their palettes match. Subtle colour repetition in the tones of solids or the palettes of patterns harmonizes the outfit, creating a coordinated look.

Intense colour mismatches can look interesting. There is creativity in the clash. When in doubt about combining mismatched colours, harmonize the look by creating a perfect or tonal match with other components. That way the eye can rest and be happy.

Fab Finds: Dresses and a Camisole

These items have been winners on clients or have good reviews. Browse the colour, pattern and size options, and watch for the flash sales. Banana Republic and Boden offer discounted prices regularly in the US, so it’s worth waiting for good deals. 

1. Banana Republic Cotton-Linen Cut-Out Midi Dress

A linen-flax sleeveless dress with a bit of stretch that fits surprisingly well. The length is good and the armholes aren’t too low. It’s back cut-out is subtle and very well positioned. Not too revealing and quite covered. The skirt component is roomy and forgiving. Comes in a black and toffee pattern too. Very Summery, breezy, and with awesome pockets.

2. H&M

This 100% cotton dress looks good on a larger bust. Great length too. It has subtle midsection ties that you can tighten or loosen as you please, adding a lovely bit of structure. Very breezy and comfy. Inge has the navy and looks spectacular in it! Some colours go up to a 4XL, Selling out fast online. Might get lucky in stores.

3. Boden Camisoles

My favourite $12 camisole that I’ve been purchasing for fifteen years is discontinued. Luckily I’ve found an even better camisole from Boden although it’s twice the price. It’s extremely comfy, well-made, and looks great on. The adjustable straps allow you to resposition the neckline and adjust the length. Ethically and sustainably produced, and made of a crisp cotton and silky tencel. Tencel is considered a more eco-friendly fabric than cotton because it’s biodegradable, and requires less water and energy than regular cotton. Bonus. I’ve road tested the light beige and loved it. It launders well, and wears like iron in the tumble drier. I stocked up when Boden had a flash sale.

Boden
Plain Cami
View Info
Top Pick
4
Boden
Plain Cami
View Info
Top Pick
2
Boden
Plain Cami
View Info
Top Pick
2
Boden
Plain Cami
View Info
Top Pick
4
Boden
Plain Cami
View Info
Top Pick
2
Boden
Plain Cami
View Info
Top Pick
2
Boden
Plain Cami
View Info
Top Pick
3
Roundups

Simpler Items

This week's list of top picks list is about basic pieces.

Read More

Assorted Items

Items for Summer, both in and out of air conditioning.

Read More

Casual Summer Vibes

This week's top picks are good for a casual Summer vibe.

Read More

Summery Earth Tones

These items are for those who like to wear casual earth tones in warm and hot weather.

Read More

Hints of Spring

Some tried-and-tested winning items to refresh your style for Spring.

Read More

Dressier Items

An assortment of dressier top picks might be just what the doctor ordered.

Read More

Outfit Formula: Big Spaced Florals

We see florals every Spring and Summer, and at the moment, large florals that are spaced out across all sorts of backgrounds are current and gaining momentum. They are the polar opposite to small, compact ditsy florals. The patterns run the gamut of flowers, colours and vibes. 

Here are examples across a range of clothing items.

Zara
Floral Print Jumpsuit
View Info
Top Pick
6

Big spaced florals are my favourite kind of flower pattern. I usually have a few in my wardrobe. I like both realistic and abstract floral designs on dresses, skirts, blouses, jackets, pullovers, and pants. I tend to wear them in the Spring and Summer in brights, some pastels, blues, and whites.

Onto some outfit formula inspiration, where you’ll see the trends at play.

1. Layered Floral Blouse

An abstract, earthy, and fluid floral blouse is worn over a pair of slim tan cropped and cuffed trousers. It’s topped with a roomy kimono-sleeve cardigan in a shade of watermelon that’s repeated in the pattern. Watermelon slides complete the look and match the cardigan. I see a tan or cognac bag. The outfit works as well without the topper. Choose any colour palette. Easy, polished, and comfortable.

Layered Floral Blouse

2. Full Floral Skirt

A spaced big and bright floral midi skirt on a white background is combined with a white tailored shirt that defines the waist. The whites match and create a subtle column of colour. A scarf in a mismatched pattern adds colour up top. The black in the scarf pattern matches the model’s hair, while the red and yellow matches the same colours in the skirt. White sneakers are the off-kilter choice. I see white, black, red or metallic dressier shoes too. And a bag that matches the palette.

Full Floral Skirt

3. Co-Ord

This is more of a leaf pattern than a floral, so a cousin to the spaced floral look. It’s a massive pattern that is VERY spaced out across wide pants and a big boxy shirt. The co-ord is gorgeous to my eye. Complete with matching dressy cream pumps, and gigantic mismatched tomato red tote. Love it!

Co-Ord

4. Maximal Maxi

Last but not least, a multicoloured, big spaced floral that’s combined with diagonal stripes graces a dressy batwing maxi kaftan. It’s sheer and opaque layers add extra maximal interest. Quiet dressy, strappy black sandals are all that’s needed to complement this amazing work of art. I’d throw in a metallic bag too. Add jewellery, watch, and eyewear as desired.

Maximal Maxi

The Power of Camisoles

Camisoles are knitted or woven items of underwear that also work as loungewear and leisure wear. They have narrower straps than tank tops and are made of cotton, silk, satin, modal, tencel and elastane. Pick camisoles with very comfy fit and fabric. 

Cozy Comfy Camisoles

Choose a body con or tailored fit in a cosy fabric. Cottons are popular and launder well. Handy adjustable straps alter the neckline position. A little longer than hipbone length is most versatile. Tucking camisoles into bottoms keeps them in place.

Wearing white camisoles under white opaque tops makes their white look richer. Camisole straps that cover bra straps are convenient. Camisoles with lace trims peeking out from under the necklines of tops and dresses add a pretty, polished effect.